Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Stephen Tootle of Savannah, Georgia, who recently passed away at the age of 32 on December 20. Stephen was a man of remarkable character and a giving heart, who knew no stranger. He and his family were engrained in the local Savannah community, and everyone who knew him recognized his light- hearted personality and passion for the outdoors. He was a 2006 graduate of Benedictine Military School and would go on to attend the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. During this time, he made many lifelong friends. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2010, with a degree in risk management and insurance, before he returned to his hometown of Savannah and worked as a commercial fisherman in his family's crabbing business. Stephen was known as someone who saw the good in everyone and everything and had a heart of gold. He also had a way of making anyone he met laugh. He was a courageous fighter who battled addiction, and I know his story will continue to touch many lives. Stephen leaves behind a wonderful, loving family who raised Stephen to be the amazing person he was, and I am thankful for the life he lived. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who knew him during this most difficult time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Senator Mack Mattingly, who celebrated his 90th birthday on January 7. Mack carries a long list of accomplishments and prestigious titles and awards, but his heart for public service stands out the most. In the early 1950s, Mack served our country for 4 years in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. He first became active in politics in 1964, when he served as chairman of U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater's campaign for President in Georgia's First Congressional District. In 1980, Mack defeated longtime Democratic Senator Herman Talmadge and served in the Senate from January 1981 until January 1987. Mack was the first Republican to serve in the United States Senate from Georgia since Reconstruction. In his post-Senatorial campaign, President Reagan appointed Mack to serve as assistant secretary-general for defense support for NATO in Brussels, Belgium. He was later appointed as ambassador to Seychelles by President George Bush. Mack has contributed greatly to Georgia and to the United States as a whole through all the positions he held. I am thankful for his amazing life, and I wish him and his family the best in years to come. Honoring Stephen Tootle

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Ken Griner of Georgia's First Congressional District for his 33 years of service in television and his many contributions to Savannah, Georgia. Over the duration of his successful career, Ken began as a studio camera operator, then worked his way to covering late nights as WTOC's sports director, and eventually became the hallmark coanchor at The News at Daybreak in historic Savannah, Georgia. Ken's energetic, warm, and bubbly personality made him an invaluable and universally loved person within the television community, and I have personally enjoyed listening to his remarks. Ken has always been known as a fan favorite; warm and friendly; a helpful coworker; and, above all, a loving person of all people. He is a pillar in Savannah, and I am thankful for his many years of dedicated work in media and for his whole-hearted investment in his community. I hold Ken in the highest regard and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Happy Birthday to Mack Mattingly

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate a devoted advocate in my district, Dr. Karla Sapp, who was named the 2020 Mental Health Advocate of the Year by the Black Mental Health Symposium. Dr. Sapp has worked tirelessly to decrease the stigma of mental illness, increase access to care, and improve the wellness of the individuals in her community. A native of Midway, Georgia, Dr. Sapp previously served with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. For the past 11 years, she has worked as a drug abuse program coordinator with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I have had the honor of working with Dr. Sapp during her tenure at the Federal Correctional Institution of Jesup. Karla is a mother, sister, advocate, counselor, teacher, resource, motivator, and public servant. We are blessed to have Dr. Sapp working to better the lives of those suffering from mental illnesses, and I am thankful for her commitment to improving countless lives. I congratulate her on this amazing accomplishment, and I look forward to her continued journey of service and success. Recognizing Ken Griner

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor the life of Tommy Lee Exley, Sr., who passed away on January 16. Tommy was a man of integrity who dedicated his life to serving others. In addition to serving his country in the National Guard, he was very active in community service. Tommy served on the Effingham Industrial Development Board and the Effingham Hospital Board for a number of years. He was also an active member of the Lions Club, The American Legion, Sunrise Rotary Club. He was even president of the Springfield Jaycees, which is an organization that identifies community needs and provides solutions by planning and facilitating service projects and funding. Tommy graduated from the University of Georgia and was an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan. My thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful family, including the love of his life, Bebe, as well as his friends, during this most difficult time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the budget resolution. The American people have suffered. They have suffered greatly from this pandemic, and this body has taken action to support those efforts. It should be noted that Republicans have voiced support for targeting relief where it is needed. Mr. Speaker, we get it. We know there are still needs out there. We know there are still people hurting. We understand that, and we agree that we need to have targeted relief. Thus far, Congress has passed nearly $4 trillion in COVID relief funding on everything from the PPP program to direct payments to money for testing and for vaccinations. However, a significant amount of funding has yet to be utilized, with more than $1 trillion of available resources waiting on the sideline to be spent. Of that $1 trillion, there is $280 billion left in the PPP program, $239 billion in health spending, $172 billion in unemployment insurance assistance, and $58 billion in State and local aid, to name a few areas with leftover funding. Now, we are discussing ramming through this budget resolution so that the Democrats can pass a $1.9 trillion COVID package without any bipartisan input or work. After weeks of talk of increasing bipartisanship and working together on big issues for our country, this resolution runs contrary to that. Not only does it do our budget process a disservice, but it moves forward with the idea that the bipartisan consensus of Congress should be cast aside. As I said earlier, there is more than $1 trillion that has been passed in COVID relief that is just sitting there unused. Unfortunately, this budget resolution doesn't address that point or build upon that point. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this waiver. General Lloyd Austin grew up in south Georgia, where he was raised by his parents in Thomasville. A graduate of West Point, he would go on to a career that spanned numerous units, responsibilities, and engagements. His first assignment was to the 3rd Infantry Division, now stationed in my district at Fort Stewart. In the early 2000s, he served as assistant division commander for the 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq. He would later go on to serve as a division commander and the chief of staff of the United States Central Command, CENTCOM; the commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps; the Army vice chief of staff; and, finally, the commander of CENTCOM. He has been described as a private individual who is committed to carrying out his duties. I, like others, have my reservations about continuing down a path of waivers for former military leaders to serve in civilian positions. What first started with a waiver for General Marshall in 1950 and then again for General Mattis in 2017, we have now seen several requests for what many see as a once-in-a-generation issue. However, General Austin's service and assignments are a reflection of his success in his military career. If confirmed, it is my hope that General Austin will carry out his commitment to civilian control of the Department of Defense and advocate for the priorities central to national security, such as the modernizing of the triad. In a time when our adversaries seek to capitalize on any weaknesses, we need strong leadership. General Lloyd Austin will provide us with that.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this effort to move forward with impeachment proceedings. What happened on Wednesday, January 6, was nothing short of pure anarchy. Those individuals who broke the law should be held accountable for their actions. They should be prosecuted to the highest extent of the law, and they should be put in jail. This was one of the saddest days of my life, last Wednesday, Mr. Speaker. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the police officers and other law enforcement who carried out their duties on that tragic day, including Officers Sicknick and Liebengood. Right now, our focus should be on healing, healing our Nation. With so many upset and dismayed at the actions of last week, it is our responsibility to chart a path forward, to subdue the growing animosity, and to find ways to heal our country. Unfortunately, I don't believe this resolution will achieve those goals, especially 7 days ahead of the inauguration. This is a very serious and concerning effort during such a tense and fragile time in our country. I urge my colleagues to consider how this would further entrench people during such a tense time. I cannot support this.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bill Dawson on his retirement from the Georgia Ports Authority after more than forty years of dedicated work. Bill was born and raised in Brunswick, Georgia, and he has been a pillar in his community for many years. The Georgia Ports Authority, which was founded in 1945, operates port facilities in the state of Georgia. Bill has been with them as long as they have been in Brunswick. He was previously employed as Assistant Manager for the Brunswick Port Authority and then joined the GPA as Terminal Manager for Brunswick Operations. Throughout his career, Bill has been a professional and a mentor to many. He has been known as the go-to person for the GPA customers and community, and he set the tone for GPA's business at the Port of Brunswick for decades. Bill's contributions to GPA expanded beyond his job responsibilities in operations, as he always went above and beyond to oversee the success of GPA in many other areas such as sales and public relations. Although he is very passionate about the Georgia Ports Authority, he is most passionate about his grandchildren. I hope that Bill is able to cherish many more special times with them as he begins his retirement. I wish Bill the best, and I want to thank him for his lasting impact on Brunswick.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on roll call No. 248, I am not recorded because of circumstances which caused me to miss the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted aye.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Glenn Deibert, who will be retiring as Coastal Pines Technical College's president at the end of February. Dr. Deibert has served 27 years in higher education and has served four of Georgia's technical colleges, including Okefenokee Technical College, Coastal Pines Technical College, Southwest Georgia Technical College, and Southern Technical College, formerly known as Swainsboro Technical College. Because of his dedication to improving education and the lives of students, he was recently named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend's yearly publication. This title recognizes some of the most prestigious folks who have contributed greatly to the State's success. Dr. Deibert attended Central High School in Thomasville, Georgia, and graduated from Thomas Area Technical School, which later became Southwest Georgia Technical College, so his appreciation for technical colleges is personal. Dr. Deibert's work to improve Coastal Pines contributed to record enrollment at the college for multiple years. Madam Speaker, I wish him and his family the best of luck as he begins his retirement, and I am thankful for his many years of dedication to improving higher education in Georgia's First Congressional District.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 247, I am not recorded because of circumstances which caused me to miss the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted aye. personal explanation

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Tom McCall of Elbert County, Georgia, for being elected president of Georgia's largest general farm organization, the Georgia Farm Bureau, on December 8. Tom replaces Gerald Long, who retired from the position after serving as GFB president since 2016. He has been a dedicated Farm Bureau member since 1978, and Tom's first leadership role with the bureau was serving as the chairman of the Elbert County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. Tom also represented Georgia Farm Bureau's second district on the GFB board of directors and served as Elbert County Farm Bureau's president for several years. The foundation of his leadership skills was developed when he served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 26 years. I was blessed to serve alongside Tom for 5 years in the Georgia State House, so I can attest to his dedication to improving the lives of his constituents and his commitment to the State of Georgia. His wealth of knowledge in agriculture contributed to his success while serving on the Georgia House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and I know his continued commitment to improving agriculture in the State of Georgia will allow him to thrive as Georgia Farm Bureau's president. I wish him the best as he steps up to lead farmers across Georgia, and I know he will do a great job.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Savannah, Georgia, WTOC news anchor Dawn Baker for appearing in this year's ``CNN Heroes'' special. In the special, she was recognized as the first person to participate in phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccine trial in the U.S. Local news anchors have thousands of viewers, so they have a great responsibility to serve as positive leaders in their community. By demonstrating the importance and safety of the coronavirus vaccine, which is now being distributed across the country, Dawn has exemplified the qualities of a true leader. However, this is not the first time Dawn has been a hero. Throughout her career in journalism, she has blessed countless lives through her dedication to improving her community and the State of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I take this time to thank all heroes like Dawn Baker for stepping up to the plate during an unprecedented time and demonstrating commitment to a better, healthier America.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate a great American. Marcus Hill retires from serving as a senior executive adviser for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, or FLETC, on January 28, 2021. Marcus began his career of service as a personnel management specialist with the Department of the Navy in 1983 and was assigned to the naval submarine base located in Kings Bay, Georgia. This position further inspired him to a life of service, so he went on to serve an Active-Duty tour in the United States Air Force. Before he transferred to FLETC in 1999, Marcus served in several leadership assignments within the Navy. His career in FLETC spanned widely and included joining the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, after the tragic events of 9/11. Marcus' life has been marked by distinguished commitment to serving his country and fellow man, which is why he has received numerous awards and honors, to include the 2017 Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service among many others. It is people like Marcus who inspire us to live for something greater than ourselves, and I am thankful for the wonderful example he has set, which will surely outlast his career for countless years to come. Madam Speaker, I wish him and his family the best as he embarks on his retirement.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor a highly esteemed surgeon, compassionate physician, hero, and an incredible person. Dr. Fred Mullins, who was president and CEO of the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, sadly, passed away at the age of 54. In his over 30 years of caring for thousands of patients, he was a trailblazer in burn care across the Nation and the world. Dr. Mullins was also a founding board member of the Georgia Trauma Foundation, a member of the Georgia Trauma Commission, and chairman of the JMS Research Foundation. He was a native Augustan and graduated from Augusta College before attending the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Mullins was given a foundation for his skills in burn care by Dr. Joseph M. Still, and his focus was on carrying Dr. Still's legacy to provide the best possible care to patients. I became acquainted with Dr. Mullins in February of 2008, after the explosion of the Savannah Sugar Refinery in my hometown of Port Wentworth. A number of the victims there were taken to the Augusta Burn Center; and there, I witnessed Dr. Mullins' compassion, his concern, and his care for patients. Madam Speaker, because of Dr. Mullins' unrivaled work and care for patients, he now leaves behind a legacy that represents dedication to the well-being of patients and improving healthcare across the Nation and world. Madam Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his friends, his patients, and all who knew him. Remembering Harrison Deal

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Statesboro native Harrison Deal, who, tragically, passed away on Friday, December 4, from a fatal car cash in Pooler, Georgia. Harrison was a 20-year-old student at the University of Georgia and was expected to graduate in 2022. He was a former intern for Senator Perdue, and worked in the Athens office for Senator Kelly Loeffler's campaign. Governor Brian Kemp stated Harrison was a member of the ``Kemp Strong'' family, and was a Kemp son and brother they never had. He has been described as an incredible, magnificent young man by Senator Perdue and Senator Loeffler. He clearly touched countless lives in the State of Georgia and beyond. Madam Speaker, Harrison was the son of Bulloch County Commissioner Curt Deal and his wife, Jenni, and was the brother of Hannah and Halli Deal. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Deal family, Harrison's friends, and all who knew him during this most difficult time. Recognizing Marcus Hill

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Mr. Jimmy Orr of Brunswick, Georgia, who recently passed away after a long and impactful life. Jimmy was a gifted athlete who excelled in basketball, baseball, and football in high school and went on to attend Clemson University on a basketball scholarship. He later transferred to the University of Georgia to become one of the Wally Boys, which was a term used for those who played under football Head Coach Wally Butts. During his junior year at the University of Georgia, Jimmy was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Rams and was later traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers after graduation. His exceptional performance made him an easy choice for United Press International and Associated Press Rookie of the Year in 1958. After Jimmy's outstanding 13-year career with the NFL, he eventually led several successful business ventures before retiring to the Georgia coast, where he held a successful golfing record. He was not only an amazing athlete; he was a loving father and husband, a wonderful friend, and a generous philanthropist who impacted the lives of countless individuals. I am thankful for Jimmy's many years of representing Brunswick well, and I know his legacy will continue for many years to come.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Medical Marijuana Research Act. Cannabis has been known by humans for thousands of years, yet we still don't truly know if the plant is medically beneficial. Some preliminary findings have given cause to believe that there may be some medicinal benefits. In fact, the FDA has authorized use of medical- grade CBD products for rare forms of epilepsy, but large-scale research has not occurred. Despite this, more than half of the States have legalized cannabis for medical purposes. Even Georgia, my home State, has acted to expand cannabis laws. As the legal status of cannabis evolves, we must prioritize making the plant available for medicinal research. In 2017, the National Academy of Medicine found that there are several challenges and barriers in conducting cannabis and cannabinoid research, including the classification of cannabis as a schedule I substance and the difficulty for researchers to gain access to the quality and quantity of product necessary for research. I do not believe that the Federal Government should be standing in the way of medical research for cannabis products. Cannabis could be a lifesaving product. It may also not be, but we owe it to the patients to do the due diligence, research, and testing so that they may make the best medical decisions for themselves. While we may all have differing opinions on the decriminalization of recreational marijuana--and my stance on that is well-known and well- documented that I am adamantly opposed to the recreational use of marijuana--I think we can all agree that we should facilitate better research on the plant's medicinal benefits. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see this legislation come to the floor for a vote. I thank my colleague, Mr. Blumenauer, for working on this legislation with me. I urge passage of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, before I leave, I want to pay homage, if you will, to Mr. Walden, who will be leaving us, you have heard other speakers indicate before. I came on this committee 4 years ago. Being the only pharmacist in Congress, I wanted to be on the Health Subcommittee, and I wanted to work in that arena. That is where Energy and Commerce was. I will have to be quite honest with you. I really didn't understand just what a great committee--the best committee in Congress--Energy and Commerce is, and I truly believe that. I understand that now. But I want to thank Greg Walden, because when I came in 4 years ago, he was the chairman of this committee, and he was very encouraging to me. In fact, he was my mentor on this committee. He led me and gave me opportunities, and I appreciate that very, very much. His diversity, his intelligence, his fairness has been outstanding. His leadership has been outstanding, and it is only surpassed by his impeccable character. Mr. Speaker, as he leaves, I want him to know how much I personally am appreciative of all of his help and all of his leadership. Our committee, our Congress, our country is better off because of your work. Thank you and Godspeed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5758, the Ceiling Fan Improvement Act. This legislation will update the energy efficiency standards for ceiling fans manufactured after January 21 of this year. We are here today because the existing energy and efficiency standards for ceiling fans was insufficient to meet the characteristics of ceiling fans being manufactured. Specifically, the energy conservation standards finalized in January 2017 didn't properly account for the different types of air flow of large ceiling fans. Therefore, the result of not changing this law could be the removal of large ceiling fans from the market because they won't be in compliance. This issue is a great example of how now nuanced and challenging some of these issues and topics can be here in Congress. Thanks to the leadership of my good friend, Congressman Guthrie, and that of Chairwoman Schakowsky, we are now one step closer to getting this fix across the finish line. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Committee on Energy and Commerce for their work on this legislation and for the bipartisan efforts to get it here, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1426, the Timely Review of Infrastructure Act. Simply put, this is a commonsense bill to address how employees are commended for their work at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC. It is well known that there is a backlog of work at FERC due to a shortage of qualified personnel to handle the requirements. When energy developers need to submit applications for approval at FERC, they are often delayed due to a lack of available personnel to review the project. The United States has finally reached a level of energy independence that we could never have dreamed of during the OPEC oil embargo. However, that development is often subject to the timeliness and availability of approvals at FERC. This bill will ensure that the retention and recruiting of people at FERC will remain highly competitive, bringing in the people they need to do the job. One area of serious concern was the number of pending LNG applications waiting at FERC. Thankfully, we have a bipartisan bill that can turn things around. I thank my good friend from Texas 22, Pete Olson, who is, unfortunately, leaving this body after years of distinguished service. But this is a good way to reflect on all of his great work. We will miss my friend from Texas, and I do wish him well. Also, I thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for their work on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Savannah native, Robert E. James, II, of Carver State Bank on his election as chair of the National Bankers Association. The National Bankers Association is based in Washington, D.C., and has represented minority-owned and women-owned banks in the U.S. since 1927. Mr. James wears many hats. He serves Carver State Bank as its director of Strategic Initiatives and is a member of its board of directors; is a partner at the law firm, Golden Holley James, LLP; and is president of Coastal Legacy Group, LLC, which is a real estate development and consulting firm he founded in 2004. When he was earning his law degree at Harvard, he received a legal training scholarship and was elected president of Harvard Black Law Students Association, as well. By stepping up to the plate to lead the National Bankers Association, he has demonstrated his dedication to serving his community and contributing to the success of the American banking industry as a whole. Congratulations, again, on this great accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, I wish Mr. James the very best.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Mr. Daniel Zeigler of Savannah, Georgia, who, sadly, passed away on December 4 at the young age of 33. Daniel was a graduate of the South University School of Pharmacy and worked as a pharmacist at Medicap Pharmacy. One of his greatest joys was taking care of his pharmacy patients, and he did it with unmatched kindness and intentionality. Daniel loved the Lord and attended services at Compassion Christian Church's Henderson Campus. Like his father, he also had a passion for cars and was an avid member of various organizations. Daniel was the youngest member of the Oglethorpe Driving Club, and cofounded the successful Cars and Coffee, which was a group for car lovers across Savannah. He dedicated much of his joy and much of his time every December to helping out with the Toys for Tots toy drive, which benefits kids in need. Mr. Speaker, my prayers, Amy's prayers, and all of the friends at Carter's Pharmacy's prayers go out to all the lives that Daniel touched, including his patients, his family, his parents, Donna and Jay, his brother, Jason, and all of his friends who were blessed to know him.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Myrna Ballard on her retirement from serving as Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce president after 23 years. Myrna has been a pillar to Valdosta and Lowndes throughout her time serving in the chamber because of her work in economic development, infrastructure building, and supporting pro-business legislation. Thanks to her diligent and consistent efforts, the chamber has continuously received the 5-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The accreditation program defines standards of excellence in chamber planning and performance, and shows chambers how they can reach and maintain these standards. It also recognizes folks like Myrna who have helped set high standards for chamber members and staff to contribute to the good of their communities. Mr. Speaker, I wish Myrna the best as she begins her retirement. Congratulations again. Honoring Meg Heap

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap. Since she was elected DA in 2012, Meg has fought hard to secure justice, prevent crimes, and improve our community. Her lifelong passion for working with victims of crime and senior citizens helped pave her way to law school at Mercer University. A Savannah native, Meg's career and time as DA was marked by her love for Chatham County and its people, which is why she worked so hard to establish the many new programs and innovations to improve the district attorney's office. Some of the many programs she started include the Youth Intercept for at-risk youth and the Pretrial Diversion for youthful, non-violent first offenders. Meg also helped establish the Chatham County Family Justice Center to assist special victims find the services they need in just one space. I am thankful for Meg's many years of hard work, as Chatham is truly a better place because of her. Honoring the life of Daniel Zeigler